EDF Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, are looking for an External Communications Officer to support our customer business.

This is a varied role that will see the candidate supporting across media, government and stakeholder relations, with some additional support on digital activity when required.

It will cover many interesting and high-profile topics and campaigns, including energy pricing, the smart meter programme, energy efficiency programmes, and skills and education.

The External Communications Officer will have previous experience working in external communications either in-house or within an agency, with a good understanding of the media, political environment and consumer affairs.

They will work closely with the wider communications team, including digital and brand, business unit leads, and our external agencies to provide integrated communications support to include:

Support for the delivery of a coordinated communications plan aligned to the strategic priorities of EDF Energy

Act as a key contact for leaders within the customer business providing counsel on external issues

Nature and Scope

This role reports to the Senior External Communications Manager – Customers. It sits within of the Communications Directorate within Strategy and Corporate Affairs and is part of a wider external communications team, designed to provide flexible support in both media relations and public affairs with the whole team able to deliver the best possible service.

Key relationships include:

senior managers and leaders within the EDF Energy Customer business,

the Senior External Communications Managers and Head of External Communications,

subject matter experts within the business, including in policy and regulation

political contacts, stakeholders, consumer groups and national and regional media

The External Communications Officer will escalate issues as appropriate to the Senior External Communications Managers or the Head of External Communications, and will make recommendations and suggest solutions on communications issues.

The External Communications Officer will:

be based at one of our customer sites in Hove or Croydon. There may be additional occasional travel to EDF Energy offices and sites as required by the business

work closely with other External Communications manager in the External Communications team to share skills and provide a 24/7 external communications operation

Principal Accountabilities

Support the Senior External Communications Manager for Customers in delivering the communications plan for the Customers Business, working closely with the Customers external communications team

Support proactive and reactive media activity, and build strong relationships with relevant media

Plan and draft communication materials and briefings on specific issues

Support wider cross-business Customer communications initiatives – for example Party Conferences, lobbying campaigns, Research and Development

Support effective stakeholder engagement and speaker programmes for senior executives within the customer business, proactively highlighting opportunities that support the strategic communications plan

Manage the MP and media complaints handling process and liaise with the complaints team to ensure that all complaints are responded to within a reasonable timeframe

Manage parliamentary and media monitoring services including liaising with suppliers and providing support to team members to fully utilise

Responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate compilation and submission of accurate reports, including monitoring of key events, weekly activity reports, monthly coverage reviews and internal reporting such as risk registers

Contribute to effective management of the retained agencies and develop strong working relationships with key consumer and internal stakeholders

Promote the integration of social media within all external communications activity and take a role in improving content on consumer issues

Participation in the out of hours duty press office rota providing a 24-hour on-call media response

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Previous media relations experience with a good understanding of the UK media, preferably within the consumer space

And / or experience in managing public affairs or stakeholder activity and events for a complex organisation

Ability to communicate complex topics to a wide audience

Good influencing skills and ability to work well with others in a large and complex organisation, including senior leaders in business.

Evidence of external experience and interest in UK politics, including knowledge of the UK political process

Proven ability to work under pressure to manage fast moving issues and deliver to tight deadlines

Ability to commission and publish content on media and digital channels